This popular phrase is assumed to not only be good advice but
Scriptural besides. The phrase itself calls us to action. By our choice
to act, God will follow with His grace to see our work through to its
successful completion.
Before accepting it implicitly, let us take a deeper look at this phrase.
One
can’t find this phrase anywhere in Scripture. The phrase in reality
comes from Aesop’s Fables. In the story of Hercules and the wagoner, the
wagon driver who is stuck in the mud calls out to Hercules for help in
getting his cart unstuck. Hercules, though, replies that the wagon
driver himself needs to try to get the wagon unstuck and the gods will
help him.
If it’s not scriptural, is it at least good advice for a Christian? No, I don’t believe so.
This
phrase puts an undue emphasis on our action in life. If we act,
according to the logic of this phrase, God will act. His action, then,
is predicated on our action.
Such an idea, when we look at who we
believe God to be, doesn’t follow. For instance, we name God as the
omnipotent creator in our creed. How can the action of the creator
follow the action or inaction of the creature? How can an all-powerful
being follow the power of a finite creature? Such a phrase ties God to a
relationship that isn’t necessarily true.
Breaking down this
phrase doesn’t mean God acts independently from us or we from Him.
Instead, God condescends to allow us to work with Him. St. Paul, in
writing to the Corinthians, explains this relationship when he writes,
“Working together with Him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace
of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1).
The Christian understanding
doesn’t see God following us. Rather, He works in and around us. Before
we act, we pray and are open to God’s action and direction. After
receiving it, we act, with God’s grace surrounding us the whole time to
see it through to a successful completion. Upon such a completion, we
thank God for His help, knowing humbly too of His pleasure in our
prayer.
“God helps those who help themselves” is a motivational
phrase to spur one to action, just as Hercules was spurring the wagon
driver to action. But when we understand the great dignity God has given
us by being His co-workers, this phrase no longer is the only one that
can get us moving. Perhaps try using the phrase, “I am a co-worker with
God.” Such a phrase is more correct for a Christian, but also puts God
besides me on the couch, urging me to get up and follow His direction
for my life.
Father Mayo is pastor of St. Raphael Parish in south St. Louis.